The Beavers (13-9, 5-6 Pacific-10 Conference) shot 28 percent in the firsthalf, but opened the second half with a 20-3 run.

Thomas Kelati had 17 points to lead the Cougars (10-11, 5-7). Leading scorerJeff Varem was held to six points on 3-of-9 shooting.

Oregon State trailed 21-19 in a first half where they made just seven fieldgoals. But a quicker pace in the second half favored the Beavers, who like torun. They shot 58 percent after halftime and led by as many as 15 points.

Under second-year coach Dick Bennett, Washington State plays a slow,methodical game that emphasizes defense and use of the shot clock.

The Cougars posted a 63-45 home win over the Beavers last month, and werecoming off a stretch that included wins over then-No. 11 Arizona and USC, aswell as a two-point overtime loss to UCLA.

Oregon State snapped a three-game losing streak by beating Oregon lastSaturday. The Beavers are three wins away from posting their first winningseason since 1990.

Kelati hit back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the lead to 42-38, but the Beavershit their free throws down the stretch. They finished 21-of-29 for the game.J.S. Nash was 9-of-9 from the line and finished with 11 points.